Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- US equities fell victim to a slate of negative news, including deeper recession forecasts from the World Bank, bleak travel forecasts, and the FOMC decision not to expand the USD 1.45 trillion bond purchase program.

The Dow lost 2.4 percent over the week to close at 8,299.86.  The NASDAQ lost 15.72 points to 1,792.34.

The Nikkei closed on Thursday 0.9 percent above last week.  Expectations of economic recovery and exporters’ gains on the back of a falling Yen saw the index gain 205 points on Thursday alone, to close the session at 9,796.08, according to reports.   

The index saw a mostly positive week, gaining on bank upgrades by Goldman Sachs and higher world growth forecasts from the IMF.

The BSE Sensex gained 80 points to 14,345.62 for a weekly gain of 0.6 percent.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange General Index posted a 2.9 percent weekly gain to end the week at 2,891.05.  The exchange saw record turnover of BDT 8.3 billion on June 22nd, followed by the second highest of BDT 7.92 billion on June 24.
BBN/SS/ANS/AD-26June09-10:28pm (BST)